Beauty ingredients explained in plain English

A synthetic peptide that may help reduce under-eye bags and improve skin firmness, but research is still emerging.

An effective preservative but can be irritating for sensitive skin; better suited for rinse-off formulas.

A positively charged collagen derivative that clings to hair and skin to provide conditioning, smoothness, and a protective film.

A gentle plant extract with antioxidant potential, but research is limited and benefits are not yet well-established in human skin.

A gentle plant-root extract with antioxidant potential, but research is still early and benefits are not yet proven in human skin.

Bergamot fruit extract adds a pleasant citrus scent and antioxidant benefits, but its phototoxic compounds mean it must be used in low concentrations or with the furocoumarins removed.

Bergamot fruit oil adds a pleasant citrus scent but can cause sun sensitivity; look for bergapten-free versions for safer daytime use.

Bergamot fruit water adds a fresh citrus scent and mild toning effect, but can increase sun sensitivity if not properly processed.

A gentle, lab-grown antioxidant from bergamot leaves that may help calm skin and fight free radicals, but research is still early.

A gentle botanical extract with antioxidant potential, but research on its specific skincare benefits is still limited.

Bergamot leaf oil adds a fresh citrus scent to products but can be irritating and is phototoxic if not properly processed.

A gentle botanical extract with antioxidant potential, but research on its skincare benefits is still limited.

Bergamot Peel Oil adds a fresh citrus scent to products but can cause sun sensitivity and irritation, so it's best used with caution and proper formulation.

Bergamot Peel Water offers a refreshing, lightly astringent feel but can increase sun sensitivity due to natural photosensitizing compounds.

A gentle plant-root extract with antioxidant potential, but research is still early and benefits are not yet proven in human skin.

A gentle, antioxidant-rich root extract that may help calm skin and fight environmental stress, but research is still early.

A gentle plant extract that may help protect skin from environmental stress and calm minor irritation, though research is still early.

A gentle plant extract with antioxidant and soothing potential, but research on its cosmetic benefits is still limited.

Bergenin is a plant-derived antioxidant that may help calm skin and fight free radical damage, but research in cosmetics is still limited.

A gentle, plant-based powder with antioxidant potential, but research is limited and it may not be a standout ingredient.

A fermented botanical complex that may help soothe and protect skin with antioxidants, though research on the specific blend is limited.

A gentle botanical blend that may help calm skin and fight free radicals, but research is limited on this specific combination.

Beta-Alanine is a gentle amino acid that helps maintain skin hydration and resilience, but it is not a standout active for dramatic anti-aging results.

A gentle synthetic chelator that helps your skincare products stay effective longer by preventing metal ions from breaking down ingredients.

A peptide that mimics the effects of Botox in a milder, topical form, helping soften expression lines over time.

A natural orange-red pigment that also provides antioxidant benefits, but its color can be unstable in some formulations.

Beta-Caryophyllene is a plant-derived compound that helps calm skin and fight oxidative stress, making it a gentle addition to soothing formulations.

A gentle, hydrating sugar that calms irritation and supports the skin barrier without clogging pores.

A gentle, multi-tasking ingredient that hydrates, soothes, and helps strengthen the skin barrier and hair fibers.

A gentle, semi-synthetic humectant that helps hydrate and calm the skin, with improved stability over plain beta-glucan.

A mild synthetic ester that adds a pleasant floral scent to products; limited research on direct skin benefits.

Beta-Ionol is a synthetic fragrance ingredient that adds a pleasant scent to products but offers no direct skincare benefits.

Beta-Ionone adds a pleasant violet-like scent to products and may offer mild antioxidant benefits, but it can be a skin sensitizer for some people.

A synthetic scent ingredient that adds a warm, woody note to products but offers no skincare benefits.

A plant-derived antioxidant that may help protect skin from environmental stress, but its use is limited by potential irritation at higher levels.

A synthetic fragrance ingredient that adds a pine-like scent but may cause irritation in sensitive skin.

Beta-Pinene is a plant-derived antioxidant and scent ingredient that can help protect skin from environmental stress, but may cause irritation in sensitive individuals.

Beta-santalene is a fragrant compound from sandalwood with early evidence of soothing benefits, but its primary role in skincare is as a scent ingredient.

Beta-santalol is a gentle, naturally derived fragrance component with mild soothing potential, but its benefits are largely aromatic rather than transformative for skin.

A gentle, sandalwood-derived ester that adds a subtle, calming scent and may offer mild soothing benefits, but its effects are not well-studied.

Beta-sitosterol is a gentle plant sterol that helps calm irritation and supports a healthy skin barrier.

A gentle, plant-based emollient that helps reinforce the skin barrier without clogging pores.

A gentle film-forming ingredient that helps products spread smoothly and stay put, with low irritation risk.

Betaine is a gentle, naturally sourced humectant that helps hydrate and soothe the skin without irritation, making it ideal for sensitive skin.

A gentler cousin of salicylic acid that exfoliates and unclogs pores with less irritation, ideal for sensitive or dry skin types.

Betel leaf powder offers antimicrobial and antioxidant benefits for oily or blemish-prone skin, but its potency and potential for irritation require careful formulation and patch testing.

A gentle botanical extract with antioxidant and soothing potential, though human studies are limited.

A gentle, hydrating sap from Korean birch trees that helps soothe and refresh the skin without clogging pores.

Betulin is a gentle, plant-derived antioxidant that helps calm skin and defend against environmental stress, but it's not a heavy-duty anti-ager.

Betulinic acid is a gentle plant-based antioxidant that may help calm irritation and support skin barrier function, but human research is still limited.

A semi-synthetic derivative of betulinic acid with potential skin-soothing and conditioning properties, but research is still limited.

A gentle, PEG-modified birch-derived ingredient that helps condition skin and stabilize formulas, but research on its specific benefits is still limited.

BHT is a well-studied synthetic preservative that keeps your products fresh, but some prefer to avoid it due to potential skin sensitivity at high levels.

A synthetic scent ingredient that adds a fresh note but offers no skincare benefit and may be unnecessary for sensitive skin.

A synthetic fragrance ingredient that adds scent but offers no skincare benefit; generally safe at low levels but may cause sensitivity in some individuals.

A synthetic fragrance ingredient that adds a pleasant scent but offers no skin benefit; safe at low concentrations but may cause irritation in sensitive individuals.

Bicyclopentylone is a synthetic fragrance ingredient that adds a fresh scent to products, but it offers no skincare benefits and may cause sensitivity in some individuals.

A gentle, plant-derived extract that may help calm skin and fight oxidative stress, but more human studies are needed to confirm its benefits.

A fermented probiotic-antioxidant hybrid that may help calm sensitive skin and reinforce the skin barrier over time.

A fermented probiotic and deer antler blend that may help calm and strengthen the skin barrier, but human research is limited.